CONSTITUTION 

i  . 


OF 


“THE  INDIGENT  WIDOWS’  AND  SINGLE  WOMEN’S 

SOCIETY 


WITH 


RULES  FOR  THE  REGULATION 


THE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS, 


AND 

r  *  '4  -  1  M  '  )  f  |  ; 

FOR  THE  GOVERNMENT 


OP 


3PSO  A: 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED  BY  LYDIA  R.  BAILEY, 
No.  10,  North  Alley. 

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JUN  11  1924 
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AN  ACT 

TO  INCORPORATE 

“  THE  INDIGENT  WIDOWS’  AND  SINGLE  WOMEN’S 
SOCIETY  OF  PHILADELPHIA.” 

WHEREAS,  it  is  represented  to  the  legislature  that  a  num¬ 
ber  of  ladies  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  have  formed  an  associa¬ 
tion  for  the  humane  and  charitable  purpose  of  relieving,  assist¬ 
ing,  and  supporting  widows  and  single  women  in  a  state  of  indi¬ 
gence,  and  are  desirous  of  being  incorporated  :  Therefore, 

Section  L.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Re¬ 
presentatives  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  in  Ge¬ 
neral  Assembly  met ,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  authority 
of  the  same ,  That  all  such  persons  of  the  female  sex  as  noware 
or  hereafter  may  become  subscribers  to  the  Indigent  Widows’  and 
Single  Women’s  Society  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  manner  herein¬ 
after  provided,  be  and  they  are  hereby  incorporated  into  a  socie¬ 
ty  by  the  name  of  ((  The  Indigent  Widows’  and  Single  Women’s 
Society  of  Philadelphia,”  and  by  that  name  shall  have  perpetual 
succession,  with  power  to  have  a  common  seal,  and  change  the 
same  at  pleasure,  to  make  contracts  relative  to  the  institution,  to 
sue  and  be  sued,  and  by  that  name  and  style  be  capable  in  law  of 
purchasing,  taking,  holding,  and  conveying  any  estate  real  or 
personal  for  the  use  of  said  corporation.  Provided ,  That  the  an¬ 
nual  income  of  such  estate  shall  not  exceed  in  value  eight  thou¬ 
sand  dollars,  nor  be  applied  to  any  other  purposes  than  those  for 
which  this  incorporation  is  formed.  And,  also ,  to  establish  by¬ 
laws  and  orders  for  the  regulation  of  said  society,  and  the  preser¬ 
vation  and  application  of  the  funds  thereof.  Provided ,  The  same 
be  not  repugnant  to  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the  United 
States,  or  of  this  commonwealth. 

Sect.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore¬ 
said ,  That  every  female  who  shall  subscribe  and  pay  to  the  funds 
of  the  society,  the  sum  of  three  dollars  annually,  shall  by  such 
subscription  and  payment  become  a  member  of  said  society,  lia¬ 
ble  however  to  be  removed  whenever  she  shall  refuse  or  neglect 
to  pay  such  annual  subscription  ;  and  every  female  who  shall  sub¬ 
scribe  and  pay  the  sum  of  thirty  dollars,  shall  be  a  member  for 
life. 


(  4  ) 

Sect.  3.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  authority  afore- 
said ,  That  the  society  shall  meet  on  the  second  Thursday  of  Ja¬ 
nuary  in  every  year,  at  which  meeting  thirteen  members  shall 
be  competent  to  transact  business:  at  this  meeting  shall  be  chosen 
twenty-four  Managers,  in  whom  shall  be  vested  the  management, 
direction,  and  disposal  of  all  the  concerns  of  the  society;  and  if 
any  vacancy  shall  occur  by  the  death,  resignation,  removal  or 
otherwise  of  any  manager  so  chosen,  the  same  may  be  filled  for 
the  remainder  of  the  year  by  such  member  of  the  society  as  the 
board  of  managers  for  the  time  being  shall  appoint ;  and  until  the 
election  on  the  second  Thursday  in  January  next  ensuing  the 
passage  of  this  act,  the  persons  who  were  elected  at  the  last  an¬ 
nual  meeting  of  said  society,  shall  be  the  managers. 

Sect.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore¬ 
said ',  That  the  managers  shall  meet,  upon  notice  from  the  offici¬ 
ating  secretary  of  the  society,  within  three  days  after  their  elec¬ 
tion,  and  shall  choose  out  of  their  number  a  first  and  second  di¬ 
rectress,  a  secretary,  and  a  treasurer  ;  that  five  managers  shall  be 
requisite  to  transact  business;  that  the  board  of  managers  may 
make  by-laws  for  their  government,  shall  make  an  annual  report 
of  their  proceedings  and  of  the  state  of  the  funds  of  the  society, 
and  give  two  weeks’  previous  notice  of  the  meeting  of  the  so¬ 
ciety. 

Sect.  5.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore¬ 
said ,  That  if  the  annual  election  shall  not  be  made  on  the  stated 
day,  the  said  corporation  shall  not  thereby  be  dissolved,  but  the 
managers  and  officers  shall  continue  in  office  until  a  new  election,  ^ 

which  shall  be  made  at  such  time  and  place,  and  after  such  notice, 
as  the  board  of  managers  shall  prescribe. 

Sect.  6.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore¬ 
said ,  That  the  lot  of  ground,  and  the  buildings  which  may  be 
thereon  erected,  for  the  use  of  the  society,  shall  be  free  of  tax. 

REESE  HILL, 

Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

ISAAC  WEAVER, 

Speaker  of  the  Senate . 

Approved,  March  23 d,  1S19. 

WM.  FINDLAY. 


RULES  FOR  THE  REGULATION 


OP 

THE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS. 


1st.  The  managers  shall  meet  on  the  first  Thursday  of  every 
month,  at  such  time  and  place  as  they  shall  appoint. 

2d.  Five  of  the  managers  shall  form  a  quorum  for  the  transac¬ 
tion  of  all  business. 

3d.  Every  meeting  shall  be  opened  with  reading  a  portion  of 
Scripture,  succeeded  by  a  pause  for  mental  supplication. 

4th.  No  person  shall  be  at  liberty  to  withdraw  from  the  board 
without  permission  ;  and  no  conversation,  but  such  as  relates  to 
business,  shall  be  allowed. 

5th.  A  fine  of  twenty-five  cents  shall  be  incurred  for  non-at¬ 
tendance  at  each  meeting,  unless  satisfactory  reasons  be  given. 

6th.  All  reports  of  committees  shall  be  in  writing. 

7th.  Business  shall  commence  precisely  half  an  hour  after  the 
time  appointed  for  meeting. 

8th.  Every  motion,  when  made,  shall  be  stated  from  the  chair; 
when  seconded,  the  directress  shall  invite  discussion  upon  the 
subject  ;  after  which,  she  shall  ask  if  the  members  are  ready  for 
the  question  ;  which  being  assented  to,  the  votes  shall  be  taken  ; 
first  in  the  affirmative,  and  next  in  the  negative.  No  other  busi¬ 
ness  shall  be  taken  up  by  the  board,  or  discussed  by  any  of  the 
members,  until  that  which  has  thus  been  laid  before  them,  be  de¬ 
cided  or  postponed. 

9th.  At  the  desire  of  any  member  of  the  board,  the  decision 
of  a  new  question  may  he  deferred  to  the  meeting  succeeding 
that  at  which  the  question  was  proposed. 


(  6  ) 

10th.  No  former  resolution  shall  be  reconsidered,  unless  call¬ 
ed  for  by  one  of  the  majority,  and  shall  in  all  cases  be  deferred 
to  the  next  meeting,  either  special  or  stated,  for  decision. 

11th.  Upon  motion  made  and  seconded,  the  names  of  the  yeas 
and  nays  shall  be  recorded  on  the  minutes. 

12th.  No  person  shall  decline  acting  on  a  committee,  unless 
another  member,  approved  by  the  first  directress,  shall  be  willing 
to  serve  in  her  stead. 

13th.  The  member  first  named  on  a  committee,  shall  preside 
over  it,  shall  give  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  meeting,  and 
make  the  report  of  their  proceedings. 

14th.  The  first  directress  shall  call  extra  meetings  as  often  as 
she  may  think  proper,  but  shall  not  be  obliged  to  call  them  con¬ 
trary  to  her  own  judgment,  unless  five  members  of  the  board 
shall  concur  in  requesting  it. 

15th.  The  seal  of  the  society  shall  not  be  affixed  to  any  paper, 
without  the  vote  of  the  board  having  been  taken  on  it. 

16th.  The  business  of  each  stated  meeting  shall  commence 
with  the  Secretary’s  reading  the  minutes  of  the  preceding  meet¬ 
ing,  the  Treasurer’s  report,  and  the  reports  of  the  committees, 
which  if  not  presented  must  be  asked  for  by  the  Directress.  The 
unfinished  business  shall  then  be  called  up,  and  any  new  busi¬ 
ness  brought  forward.  The  weekly  committees  for  the  ensuing 
month  shall  be  named,  and  the  orders  on  the  Treasurer  voted. 

17th.  The  board  shall  not  rise  until  the  time  and  place  of  the 
next  meeting  be  distinctly  made  known. 

18th.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  in  January,  the  stand¬ 
ing  committees  shall  be  appointed,  viz.;  the  weekly  committees 
of  two,  for  the  year,  which  shall  be  inserted  by  the  secretary  in 
the  minute  book  of  the  committee;  the  purchasing  committee; 
and  the  committee  for  receiving  applications  for  admission. 


DUTIES  OF  THE  MANAGERS. 


The  First  Directress  shall  preside  at  the  meetings  of  the  ma¬ 
nagers,  preserve  order,  appoint  committees,  call  special  meetings, 
and  in  all  equal  divisions  of  the  board  give  the  casting  vote.  She 
shall  furnish  every  new  manager  with  a  book,  containing  in  print, 
the  constitution,  the  rules  for  the  regulation  of  the  board,  the 
duties  of  the  managers,  and  the  rules  for  the  government  of  the 
Asylum.  When  a  manager  resigns  her  seat  at  the  board,  she  is 
to  return  this  book  to  the  First  Directress,  who  will  make  it 
over  to  her  successor. 

In  the  absence  of  the  First  Directress,  the  Second  shall  pre¬ 
side  ;  and,  if  both  be  absent,  a  person  shall  be  chosen  from 
among  the  members  present,  to  preside  at  the  meeting. 

The  Secretary  shall  summon  the  meetings  of  the  managers, 
keep  a  fair  and  correct  record  of  all  their  proceedings,  a  register 
of  the  inmates  of  the  Asylum,  and  do  all  other  writing  not  con¬ 
nected  with  the  office  of  the  Treasurer,  or  the  business  of  com¬ 
mittees. 

The  Treasurer  shall  hold  the  evidences  of  property  belong¬ 
ing  to  the  Society,  receive  all  moneys,  and  deposit  the  same  at  a 
bank,  in  her  name,  as  treasurer;  make  payments  agreeably  to 
the  orders  of  the  managers,  keep  a  fair  account  of  all  receipts 
and  expenditures,  which  account  shall  at  all  times  be  open  to  the 
inspection  of  the  managers.  She  shall  furnish  a  monthly  abstract 
of  her  receipts  and  expenditures,  and  of  the  balance  remaining 
in  her  hands,  and  prepare  a  statement  to  be  laid  before  the  So¬ 
ciety  at  their  Annual  Meeting. 

The  Managers  shall  be  divided  into  committees  of  two,  who, 
in  weekly  rotation,  shall  superintend  the  Asylum,  under  the 
name  of  the  “  Visiting  Committee.  ” 

The  Visiting  Committees  shall  visit  the  Asylum  not  less  than 
three  times  during  their  week  ;  they  shall  endeavour  to  be 
present  once  at  each  meal,  shall  make  themselves  acquainted 


(  8  ) 

with  the  situation  and  wants  of  the  inmates,  generally  direct  the 
concerns  of  the  family,  and  report  their  observations  in  the  Mi¬ 
nute  Book;  which  book,  on  the  last  day  of  their  week,  is  to  be 
sent  to  the  succeeding  committee;  for  which  purpose,  a  list  of 
the  committees  is  to  be  kept  in  the  book. 

The  Purchasing  Committee  shall  make  all  purchases  necessary 
for  the  family,  pay  all  bills,  and  present  a  monthly  account  of 
their  proceedings  to  the  board. 

The  Committee  for  receiving  Applications. — It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  this  committee  to  receive  applications,  to  visit  the  ap¬ 
plicants,  and  inquire  into  their  character  and  circumstances,  and 
make  their  report  thereon  to  the  board  in  writing;  it  shall  also 
be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  keep  a  register  of  the  names 
of  the  applicants,  the  persons  by  whom  they  are  recommended, 
and  their  place  of  residence.  It  will  be  likewise  required,  that 
they  keep  a  book,  in  which  the  terms  of  agreement,  entered  in¬ 
to  between  the  committee  and  the  friends  of  the  applicants,  be 
inserted,  with  their  signatures  annexed.  No  person  will  be  ad¬ 
mitted  into  the  Asylum,  without  an  order  from  the  committee. 

Each  manager  will  be  furnished,  by  the  Treasurer,  with  a  list 
of  subscribers,  whose  contributions  she  will  be  expected  annual¬ 
ly  to  collect. 

The  duties  of  the  managers  appear  to  be  generally  comprised 
in  the  foregoing  rules,  in  addition  to  which,  it  shall  be  consider¬ 
ed  the  duty  of  the  Visiting  Committees  at  the  Asylum,  during 
their  stated  periods  of  attendance,  not  only  to  inquire  into  the 
temporal  welfare  of  its  inmates,  but  to  visit  them  in  their  seve¬ 
ral  rooms,  and  endeavour  to  ascertain  their  spiritual  state,  giving 
them  such  advice  and  instruction  as  may  be  in  their  power,  and 
the  circumstances  of  the  case  may  render  necessary. 


TERMS  OF  ADMISSION. 

1st.  No  persons  shall  be  admitted  into  the  Asylum,  but  those 
who  bring  satisfactory  testimonials  to  the  propriety  of  their  con¬ 
duct,  and  the  respectability  of  their  character. 

2d.  When  they  are  pensioners  on  any  benevolent  Institution, 
or  Society,  it  is  expected  their  pensions  will  be  continued,  to  as- 


(  9  ) 

sist  in  their  support;  and  that  their  funeral  expenses  will  be  de¬ 
frayed. 

3d.  Those  who  have  any  property  are  required  to  secure  the 
same  to  the  Institution,  before  they  are  admitted  ;  in  case  of  their 
obtaining  property  after  their  admission,  if  they  remain  in  the 
Asylum  it  will  also  be  necessary  to  make  it  over  to  this  Insti¬ 
tution. 

4th.  It  will  be  required  that  any  one  admitted  shall  pay 
$30,  and  come  provided  with  a  good  bedstead,  bed,  bedding, 
and  furniture  for  a  room.  If  they  do  not  bring  furniture  with 
them,  $50  must  be  paid  on  their  admission. 

5th.  Furniture  and  other  articles  brought  into  the  Asylum 
are  to  remain  for  the  benefit  of  the  Institution. 

6th.  Persons  may  be  admitted  as  boarders,  but  not  to  the  ex¬ 
clusion  of  such  as  are  entirely  dependent. 

7th.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  as  a  boarder,  unless  satis¬ 
factory  security  be  given  for  the  regular  payment  of  her  board, 

8th.  The  age  of  persons  admitted  into  the  Asylum,  whether 
as  hoarders  or  pensioners,  must  not  be  under  sixty  years. 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 


FOR  THE 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  ASYLUM. 


1st.  The  Superintendent  shall  have  the  entire  charge  of  the 
house,  and  keep  it  in  neat  order,  under  the  direction  of  the  Ma¬ 
nagers  and  Visiting  Committee  ;  she  is  to  enforce  the  rules  of 
the  house ;  to  be  present  at  meals,  see  that  they  are  properly 
served  up,  that  every  thing  is  on  the  table  before  the  family  sit 
down  ;  that  suitable  nourishment  is  provided  for  the  sick,  proper 
order  is  observed  at  table,  and  Grace  said  before  and  after  each 
meal.  She  must  be  respectful  and  kind  to  every  one  in  the 
house,  and  attentive  as  their  circumstances  may  require;  never 
let  partiality  be  shown  in  any  instance,  but  maintain  the  respect 
due  to  her  station.  If  improper  conduct  is  observed  in  any  mem¬ 
ber  of  the  family,  she  is  to  inform  the  Visiting  Committee.  A 
list  should  be  made  of  whatever  supplies  are  necessary,  and 
given  to  the  Purchasing  Committee.  It  is  also  expected  the  Su¬ 
perintendent  will  keep  a  memorandum  of  every  article  that  is 
sent  to  the  house,  whether  purchases  or  donations,  and  by  whom 
sent.  She  will  be  expected  to  go  through  the  house,  and  see  the 
fires  and  lights  extinguished  at  nine  o’clock,  with  the  exception 
of  one  lamp,  which  is  to  be  left  burning  all  night.  A  constant 
fire  to  be  kept  in  the  stove  in  the  Hall,  from  the  15th  of  No¬ 
vember  to  the  1st  of  April. 

2d.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  into  the  Asylum,  but  those 
who  bring  satisfactory  testimonials  to  the  propriety  of  their  con¬ 
duct,  and  the  respectability  of  their  character. 

3d.  Morning  and  Evening  Prayers  to  be  regularly  perform¬ 
ed  at  the  Asylum  ;  every  inmate  will  be  expected  punctually  to 


attend,  except  in  case  of  sickness.  Notice  to  be  given  by  ring¬ 
ing  the  bell. 

4th.  It  will  be  required  of  those  who  are  capable,  to  make 
their  own  beds,  and  sweep  their  rooms,  early  every  morning; 
those  who  are  not,  will  have  it  done  by  the  Assistant,  while  they 
are  at  breakfast. 

5th.  It  will  also  be  expected,  of  those  who  are  capable,  that 
they  will  sew,  knit,  spin,  or  render  any  other  service  for  the  be¬ 
nefit  of  the  Institution. 

6th.  All  that  is  necessary  for  the  comfortable  support  of  the 
inmates  of  the  Asylum,  will  be  furnished  from  the  funds  of  the 
Society;  no  individual,  therefore,  will,  on  any  account,  be  per¬ 
mitted  to  leave  the  Institution  to  solicit  assistance,  or  procure 
work. 

7th.  Breakfast  to  consist  of  tea  and  chocolate,  or  tea  and 
coffee.  Dinner  at  one  o’clock. 

8th.  Supper  before  candlelight — similar  to  the  breakfast.  All 
who  are  able,  will  attend  at  the  general  table  ;  those  who  are 
more  infirm,  can  take  their  meals  in  the  sitting  room. 

9th.  If  any  of  the  family  are  indisposed,  a  suitable  meal  will 
be  provided,  and  sent  into  their  rooms. 

10th.  Washing  and  Ironing,  to  be  done  on  Mondays  and 
Tuesdays. 

11th.  If  any  inmate  of  the  Asylum  feels  disposed  to  visit  her 
friends,  she  is  requested  to  mention  to  the  Matron  where  she  in¬ 
tends  staying,  and  the  probable  length  of  her  visit,  that  no  un¬ 
easiness  may  exist  on  her  account;  and  that,  in  case  of  sickness 
or  accident,  the  Managers  may  know  where  she  is  to  be  found. 

12th.  No  stimulants  or  spirituous  liquors  to  be  used  in  the 
Asylum,  except  by  order  of  the  Physician  ;  and,  in  that  case, 
to  be  administered  by  the  Matron. 

13th.  No  person  will  be  permitted  to  interfere,  or  find  fault 
with  the  Superintendent  or  Assistant;  but  if  any  think  they 
have  cause  for  complaint,  they  must  apply  to  the  Managers,  who 
will  receive  their  statement,  and  take  such  order  thereon  as  they 
may  think  proper. 

14th.  It  is  required  that  all  Visiters  be  treated  with  respect 
and  attention,  and  conducted  through  any  part  of  the  building 


(  12  ) 

they  may  be  disposed  to  visit.  Particular  attention  to  be  paid  to 
Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  those  whose  visits  are  made  for  re¬ 
ligious  purposes. 

15th.  To  preserve  perfect  harmony  in  the  family,  the  strictest 
attention  must  be  paid  to  the  Rules  of  the  Asylum.  For  the  first 
and  second  violation  there  will  be  an  admonition;  for  a  third,  a 
complaint  will  be  preferred  to  the  Board  ;  for  the  fourth,  a  re¬ 
moval  from  the  house. 


THE  FORM  OF  A  BEQUEST. 


MONEY  LEGACY. 

“  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  The  Indigent  Widows’  and  Single 
Women’s  Society  of  Philadelphia ,  the  sum  of 
to  be  paid  to  the  Treasurer  for  the  time  being,  for  the  use  of  the 
said  Society.” 


DEVISE  OP  HEAL  ESTATE. 

“I  give  and  devise  unto  The  Indigent  Widows’  and  Sin¬ 
gle  Women’s  Society  of  Philadelphia ,  [here  describe  the  pro¬ 
perty  or  ground  rent]  together  with  the  appurtenances,  in  fee 
simple/’ 


.  he  L'iBMfcf  Or  TH 


It 


JUN  1 1  1924 

!  I !  ' r  v -  TY  Of  HUNOJi 


r 

L. 


3  0112  062195158 


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